Williams Studies Cyber Incivility and the Non-Profit Sector in Canada

Urban Animal Alumni, Kristin Williams is the CEO of Junior Achievement Nova Scotia. She is also enrolled in a PhD program in Management at the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. 

Williams is conducting academic research to explore cyber incivility in organizational settings. Cyber incivility is social behaviour that is communicated via email. The behaviour may be regarded as rude, inappropriate, or disrespectful. 

In this day and age cyber incivility is an emerging problem. Traditional incivility in the workplace has been studied extensively, but cyber incivility is a growing area of research interest in the field of management and organizational behaviour. 

Williams hopes to answer the research question: What are the perceptions, implications and repercussions of cyber incivility in the non-profit sector in Canada. Urban Animal is very interested and supportive of this study.

Williams is looking for study participants. Participation is entirely confidential and involves a 60 minute interview and the provision of email samples. This research is being supervised by Dr. Catherine Loughlin, Canada Research Chair in Management.

Those wishing to be involved can contact Kristin. Participants will receive an executive summary of the findings.

Research Ethics

As with all Saint Mary’s University projects involving human participants, this project was reviewed by the Saint Mary’s University Research Ethics Board. Those with comments or concerns about ethical matters or those who would like to discuss their rights as a research participant, may contact the Chair of the Research Ethics Board.

Kristen Williams leaves Nova Scotia SPCA

One of Canada's most important Urban Animal thought leaders moves from a pivotal role in Nova Scotia's Humane and Rescue sector.

"It is with mixed emotions that I announce my departure from the Nova Scotia SPCA. My last day will be June 6, 2013. I have accepted the position of President/CEO with Junior Achievement Nova Scotia," said Kristen Williams in her announcement earlier today.

Working with Junior Achievement will provide Kristen with an opportunity to interact with the boundless potential of young people as well as to support them with programs that promote and cultivate financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness.

Kristen's achievements serve as a model that can be drawn upon by others in this sector across North America. However, the reform of the governance structure she lead at the Nova Scotia SPCA may be the most important legacy of her tenure with this society. It certainly raised the profile, respect and collaboration the Society had with stakeholders both within and outside of Nova Scotia. 

Members of the Urban Animal Industry will miss her confident approach to the challenges of the industry.  Those we spoke with have been unanimous in offering their best wishes to Kristen as she takes up this next chapter in her career.

Wind Energy Sustains Nova Scotia SPCA

The Nova Scotia SPCA has uncovered a predictable, reliable and sustainable source of revenue that will benefit not only the organization, but the community and the environment as well.

Working within the Province's COMFIT regulations, RMS Energy selected the NS SPCA to provide a "community" benefit for its application for a wind energy project. In return, the SPCA will receive dividends which could reach $100-200,000 annually for the 25-30 year lifecycle of the project beginning in 2014.

"Non-profit organizations like the SPCA need to be very adaptive and flexible. We are quickly moving toward framing our organizations quite differently than we traditionally have," said NS SPCA executive director Kristin Williams. "We're not necessarily the charities of the past, we are going to be hybrid organizations that are involved in business development, social enterprise and that are looking at new and interesting ways to become sustainable."

The Sustainable Wind Initiative will be presented by Kristin Williams as part of the Regional Innovation Showcase at the upcoming Regional Conference in Halifax on 18 April. 

Register now to

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Nova Scotia SPCA cuts Enforcement and Cruelty Investigations

Nova Scotia SPCA has notified the Department of Agriculture that it will suspend enforcement and animal cruelty investigation services effective 01 April 2013. The department denied a request for core funding of $100,000 to continue these services.

The Nova Scotia SPCA is mandated by legislation to enforce animal cruelty laws but receives just $3,000/year from the Department of Agriculture to toward these services.

According to Kristin Williams, Executive Director, the SPCA responded to more than 18,000 inquiries and complaints regarding the welfare of companion animals in the Province of Nova Scotia during 2012.

READ THE PRESS RELEASE

Nova Scotia SPCA saves more than 11,000 animals in 2012

Nova Scotia SPCA releases 2012 year end report 

Through investigations and intake, the Nova Scotia SPCA saved more than 11,000 animals in 2012. The organization's year end report, released last week, cited a provincial adoption rate of more than 90% of the 6,000 plus animals admitted to provincial shelters and investigated 1,632 complaints affecting 5,084 animals. 

According to the report, the Society continues to respond to an exceptionally high call volume. In excess of 18,000 inquiries and complaints regarding the welfare of companion animals in the province of Nova Scotia were received by the provincial office in 2012.

"Through investigations and through intake via our network of branches, the Nova Scotia SPCA saved 11,002 animals in 2012, a staggering increase of 37%," said NSSPCA executive director, Kristin Williams. "The society maintains a 91% live release rate, which we attribute to our robust transfer program, palliative care foster program and an active off-site adoption program in partnership with a variety of retailers."

In addition, the report detailed a number of initiatives undertaken by the Society in 2012 to provide long-term financial sustainability. 

"Many of these strategies are innovative and will morph the SPCA into a hybrid organization, more akin to a social enterprise, which is a cutting edge non-profit fiscal strategy," said Williams. 

In an effort to broaden the reach of the SPCA, the Society partnered with a number of retailers to provide off-site adoption opportunities. This strategy won the NSSPCA a Summit for Animal Homing at the 2012 International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies.

Other initiatives include partnering with the Department of Justice to offer a canine therapy program to assist both dogs and offenders, opening a veterinary clinic as part of its shelter in Halifax and partnering with the province's lead wind engineer to develop a sustainable and long-term income.  

READ THE REPORT

About the Nova Scotia SPCA:
Over the last three years, the NSSPCA has increased live release rates from 65% to 91% province-wide an established NS as the only No Kill province in Canada. The Society achieved a 100% conviction rate for companion animal cruelty investigations. The SPCA has also been recognized as a leader in animal welfare internationally with seven industry awards in the categories of Wellness (2010), Leadership (2010), Sheltering (2010), Communications (2011), Media (2011), Homing (2012) and Volunteerism (2012).